Top N.J. Dem To Christie: Replace Lautenberg In November, Or Else

New Jersey state Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D) said that the special election to replace Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), who died Monday of complications from pneumonia, should be held in November–or he’ll take legal action against Gov. Chris Christie (R).

“It needs to be happen in November,” Sweeney told the Newark Star-Ledger. “I know there is some conflicting information, but you cannot disenfranchise voters for 17 or 18 months.”

The state senator admitted that there is conflict between state laws outlining the process for filling a senate seat before a term expires, but said that the governor must allow New Jersey residents to vote as soon as possible.

Sweeney told the Star-Ledger that if Christie ignores his advice, “We’ll take it to court.”